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Walk to remember Mill Creek founder Volney Rogers
Volney Rogers
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More than 100 years ago Volney Rogers helped in the formation of Mill Creek Park. Ray Novotny, Mill Creek Metroparks Naturalist, shares his thoughts about Rogers and the park.
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Ray Novotny, Ford Nature Center manager and Mill Creek MetroParks naturalist, says he’s always been an advocate of keeping park founder Volney Rogers’ memory alive. Novotny organized a walk from Ford Nature Center to a statue of Rogers off Falls Avenue in Youngstown to honor him on the 91st year after his death.
By Elise Franco
Youngstown
To honor Volney Rogers in his death, Mill Creek MetroParks enthusiasts will walk to the statue created in his honor during his life.
Today marks the 91st year since Rogers’ death, and Ray Novotny, Ford Nature Center manager, said for 25 years he’s done all he can to show remembrance for the man who founded one of the Mahoning Valley’s most adored sites.
“We’re going to walk from [Ford Nature Center] to the statue built for Volney Rogers,” Novotny said. “During the hike I’ll talk some about Volney’s life and what he did for the park.”
Rogers, who died at 73, was instrumental in writing legislation allowing for the creation of the first park district in Ohio, then called Youngstown Township Park District, according to the MetroParks website.
In 1919, just before his death, a statue sculpted by Frederick C. Hibbard was erected to honor his efforts in creating and protecting the site.
The marble on the statue reads, “This park was conceived in his heart and realized through his devotion.”
It’s the same devotion Novotny said he has for keeping Rogers’ name alive.
The walk, from 7 to 9:30 p.m., begins at the Ford Nature Center and ends at the statue on Falls Avenue in Youngstown. It’s two miles round-trip.
Novotny said the people who usually show up are “a small band of hearty souls.”
He said many people don’t think of Rogers as they stroll through the park, but they should. He said the sole purpose of the walk is to learn and think about the park’s founder.
“Mill Creek Park is one of the true gems of our area,” Novotny said. “People should get to know more about how we’re so fortunate to have [the park] — it’s because of him.”
Tom Bresko, interim executive director, said it’s easy to forget how something began.
“Sometimes it’s easy to forget how a park as grand as ours once had humble beginnings. It is truly through the vision of Volney Rogers that this park is as it is today,” he said. “We need to continue to educate the people not only about Volney, but about what the efforts of one person can do.”
Bresko said the walk will be special for those who attend because visitors aren’t usually allowed to wander the grounds at night.
“I think it’s a treat because it does seem more peaceful, more quiet, more sacred,” he said. “It’s nice to just experience it in a different way.”